REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Travel friendly
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
No auto-shutoff
Only works for one bottle
Tommee Tippee Travel Warmer Review
An innovative way for on-the-go families to heat baby's milk
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price: $26 List
By Abriah Wofford ⋅ Senior Research Analyst ⋅ Aug 22, 2020
RELATED: The Best Bottle Warmers
Our Verdict
If you live an active lifestyle or are always on the go with your baby, the Tommee Tippee Travel Warmer is the perfect solution for heating away from home. This system utilizes an insulated flask to keep freshly boiled water warm for hours. When your baby is hungry, pour the warm water into the beaker to create a water bath for the bottle. Everything screws together in an impossible-to-lose package that slips easily into a diaper bag or stroller basket. Although it is much more simplistic than other warmers on our list, we think this is an innovative design for parents who like a little versatility in their routine. See how it measures up versus competitors in our article on the best bottle warmers.
Our Analysis and Test Results
In the 1960s, three brothers from California designed a spill-resistant cup for toddlers with a weighted base to keep it from tipping over. The cup caught the attention of a British businessman who decided to grow the company, and Tommee Tippee was born. Tommee Tippee is one of the most recognizable names in the baby world, selling sippy cups, bottles, and other feeding accessories worldwide. Today, it is part of the larger Mayborn group and is based in the UK.
Performance Comparison
The simple setup of the Tommee Tippee Travel Warmer does not have as many safety features as some others.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Health and Safety
The Tommee Tippee Travel Warmer is just above average for the group in terms of health and safety. It utilizes boiled water kept hot in an insulated flask to create a water bath that gently warms bottles.
Although there are no adjustable settings or auto-shutoff, there is little risk of overheating baby's milk because the water does not continuously heat. Even when left in the water bath for longer than intended, the milk's temperature did not get astronomically high. In our tests, the maximum temperature hovered between 109-110 degrees and then began to drop again. While this is not an ideal scenario for heating breastmilk, it is only slightly too hot. We appreciate that there is no risk of extended exposure to extremely high temperatures.
Tommee Tippee recommend using freshly boiled water to fill the flask in order to keep the temperature high enough to heat milk hours later.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
We do worry that the water may stay too hot in the flask. The water may still be at a scalding temperature even after hours of sitting in the container, making it too hot to safely warm breastmilk and creating a burn hazard for those using the device. You must also note that this method may cause bottles to heat unevenly, as there is no water circulation. We found that the difference in temperature between the top and the bottom of the beaker was nearly 7 degrees at any given moment.
Ease of Use
The Travel Warmer scored a bit below average for ease of use due to the lack of an auto-shutoff and audible beep. However, the method to operate the Travel Warmer is one of the simplest of the group. Essentially, it is the same method many parents use when they do not have access to a bottle warmer. The Tommee Tippee brings the benefit of having compact hot water storage and a receptacle for bottle heating in one self-contained system. When you're done feeding, the press of a button seals off the warm water, and the beaker screws shut over the top of the flask.
Using this bottle warmer requires some forethought and planning. You will have to prep the water beforehand, along with any other bottle supplies you may need. With dimensions of 7.75"H x 3.5"L x 3.5"W, the Tommee Tippee will take up a considerable amount of space in your diaper bag. However, for park outings, longer drives, or restaurant feedings, this simple warmer is the perfect solution.
While not the most efficient bottle warmer we tested, the Travel Warmer was not the worst in the group either.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Warming Efficiency
The slow-warming water bath brings milk to body temperature at an average of 5:30 in our tests, putting the Travel Warmer a little above average for the group. We appreciate that there is no wait time between warnings, and when filled to capacity, the flask holds enough water to warm two bottles at different times while on the go. However, once you use all the hot water, you will have to make a pit stop and take the time to prepare more.
We don't like that there is no way to tell when the milk is ready other than by feel. There is no timer or built-in alarm to let you know when the milk is warm. We fear that parents may tend to leave it in too long and allow it to reach temperatures above what is considered safe for breastmilk.
With a total of three pieces and no tiny cracks, the Tommee Tippee Travel Warmer is one of the easiest options to clean.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Cleaning
The Tommee Tippee warmer is one of the easiest to clean, and it earned an impressive score for the group. The two parts of the flask require handwashing to maintain the integrity of the insulation. The plastic beaker is dishwasher safe, although we recommend handwashing all plastic items. Descaling is unnecessary, and because you will only be putting water inside, the warmer only needs periodic washing. Tommee Tippee recommends giving it a good scrub with baking soda if there is ever any build-up. We appreciate the simplicity of the entire system.
You may find that it is easier to reach through the flask's narrow mouth with a bottle brush, but if you have bottles, you will likely already have this tool on hand. Overall, the Tommee Tippee Travel Warmer is one of the easiest bottle warmers to use and clean.
Manufacturer's Video
—
Abriah Wofford
You Might Also Like
